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Review
. 2020 Jun;222(6):521-531.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.03.021. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and pregnancy

Affiliations
Review

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and pregnancy

Pradip Dashraath et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading globally at an accelerated rate, with a basic reproduction number (R0) of 2-2.5, indicating that 2-3 persons will be infected from an index patient. A serious public health emergency, it is particularly deadly in vulnerable populations and communities in which healthcare providers are insufficiently prepared to manage the infection. As of March 16, 2020, there are more than 180,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, with more than 7000 related deaths. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been isolated from asymptomatic individuals, and affected patients continue to be infectious 2 weeks after cessation of symptoms. The substantial morbidity and socioeconomic impact have necessitated drastic measures across all continents, including nationwide lockdowns and border closures. Pregnant women and their fetuses represent a high-risk population during infectious disease outbreaks. To date, the outcomes of 55 pregnant women infected with COVID-19 and 46 neonates have been reported in the literature, with no definite evidence of vertical transmission. Physiological and mechanical changes in pregnancy increase susceptibility to infections in general, particularly when the cardiorespiratory system is affected, and encourage rapid progression to respiratory failure in the gravida. Furthermore, the pregnancy bias toward T-helper 2 (Th2) system dominance, which protects the fetus, leaves the mother vulnerable to viral infections, which are more effectively contained by the Th1 system. These unique challenges mandate an integrated approach to pregnancies affected by SARS-CoV-2. Here we present a review of COVID-19 in pregnancy, bringing together the various factors integral to the understanding of pathophysiology and susceptibility, diagnostic challenges with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays, therapeutic controversies, intrauterine transmission, and maternal-fetal complications. We discuss the latest options in antiviral therapy and vaccine development, including the novel use of chloroquine in the management of COVID-19. Fetal surveillance, in view of the predisposition to growth restriction and special considerations during labor and delivery, is addressed. In addition, we focus on keeping frontline obstetric care providers safe while continuing to provide essential services. Our clinical service model is built around the principles of workplace segregation, responsible social distancing, containment of cross-infection to healthcare providers, judicious use of personal protective equipment, and telemedicine. Our aim is to share a framework that can be adopted by tertiary maternity units managing pregnant women in the flux of a pandemic while maintaining the safety of the patient and healthcare provider at its core.

Keywords: COVID-19; MERS-CoV,morbidity; SARS-CoV; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral; baricitinib; chloroquine; coronavirus; fever; mask; mortality; obstetric management; pandemic; pregnancy; remdesivir; respiratory distress syndrome; respiratory failure; sepsis; susceptibility; virus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest radiograph in COVID-19 An erect plain radiograph of the chest in a nonpregnant woman from Singapore with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 demonstrates bilateral and peripherally distributed air-space opacities. Dashraath. COVID-19 pandemic and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Organization of perinatal services Schematic representation demonstrating a model for workplace segregation in obstetric units to allow for service continuity and infection control. Dashraath. COVID-19 pandemic and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Labor ward triage Schematic representation demonstrating a model for stratifying risk in obstetric patients presenting to the labor floor. Dashraath. COVID-19 pandemic and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020.

Comment in

  • Reply.
    Dashraath P, Wong JLJ, Su LL. Dashraath P, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):122-123. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.046. Epub 2020 Aug 21. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021. PMID: 32835716 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Hydroxychloroquine at usual doses as an option for coronavirus disease 2019 treatment.
    Carbillon L, Benbara A, Boujenah J. Carbillon L, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):121. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.043. Epub 2020 Aug 21. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021. PMID: 32835721 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 and obesity: one pandemic meets another.
    Rancourt RC, Schellong K, Plagemann A. Rancourt RC, et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):121-122. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.044. Epub 2020 Aug 21. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021. PMID: 32835723 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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